Tom Meighan Ignites The Tivoli Raw, Real, And Still On Fire

Desh Kapur
37 minutes ago
3 min read

RAW 25” Tour - The Tivoli, Buckley — 6th November 2025

WORDS AND IMAGES DESH KAPUR

Tom Meighan Ignites The Tivoli Raw, Real, And Still On Fire — Photo Credit Desh Kapur

There’s something almost sacred about The Tivoli. Tucked away in Buckley, North Wales, it’s one of those rare grassroots venues that refuses to die — a proper music lover’s haunt where sweat, soul and history hang in the air. The place has hosted everyone from heritage acts to rising indie heroes, yet it still feels local, real, and gloriously unpolished. I love it here. The owner, Roki, is a total legend for keeping the place alive and kicking — ensuring that the Tivoli keeps rocking when so many others have fallen silent. On this crisp autumn evening, it was the perfect setting for a night steeped in nostalgia, warmth and raw energy.

And who better to bring that than Tom Meighan — the unmistakable voice and former frontman of Kasabian. For over two decades, Meighan led one of Britain’s most electrifying bands, delivering era-defining anthems that turned indie discos into riot zones. Say what you like, but for me, he will always be the voice of Kasabian — and the band’s lesser for losing him. Now stepping out on his own, Meighan’s “RAW 25” tour does exactly what it says on the tin: stripped back, no frills, just Tom, a guitarist, and a bucketload of passion.

From the off, he was buzzing. Bounding on stage with that familiar grin and swagger, he looked genuinely thrilled to be there — and the Tivoli crowd, though only about three-quarters full, gave it right back. His banter was warm and easy, his presence magnetic. This wasn’t a man going through the motions; this was a man living it.

The set kicked off with the Kasabian classic “Club Foot”, instantly turning the room into a singalong. From there, it flickered between solo cuts and Kasabian gold — a neat 50/50 split that showed both sides of Meighan’s musical soul.

In the stripped-down acoustic setting, something surprising happened: Tom’s solo material actually hit harder. Freed from the big production, songs like Don’t Give In and Better Life felt intimate, honest — like glimpses into a man rebuilding himself through melody. The Kasabian tunes, meanwhile, had the crowd belting every word, but without the pounding rhythm section they occasionally felt like ghosts of their former selves. Still, the joy of hearing LSF or Fire in such a raw form was undeniable — a reminder of just how deep those songs run in British rock DNA.

By the time Fire closed the set, The Tivoli was lit — voices hoarse, arms raised, everyone basking in that afterglow only live music can give. It was a great night — pure, unfiltered, and full of heart. Yet you can’t help but think: Tom Meighan truly shines brightest with a full band roaring behind him. Even so, this show proved he’s still got it — the voice, the swagger, and that spark that can turn a room into a movement.

Tom Meighan may have gone solo, but make no mistake: he’s still got fire in his veins — and The Tivoli, as ever, gave him the perfect stage to burn.

Setlist: